TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that 2024 marked the hottest year on record. This data-driven milestone suggests that Earth likely just had its first year with average temperatures over 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
In light of this, several of the hottest cities in the United States serve as compelling examples of how global climate trends manifest at the local level. With consistently higher sunshine hours and warmer weather than much of the country, cities such as Phoenix, Yuma, and Las Vegas top the list.
Even so, these cities remain appealing to sunseekers and those craving more vitamin D. Here’s a closer look at the hottest cities in the U.S., as ranked by Redfin, a tech-powered real estate company.
List of the 10 Hottest Cities in the U.S.
1. Phoenix, Arizona
Average summer temperature: 93.7°F / 34.3°C
Average annual temperature: 75.4°F / 24.1°C
Known as the “Valley of the Sun,” Phoenix is officially the hottest city in the US. The sizzling temperature it boasts can be attributed to its desert climate and low elevation. As noted by The Arizona Republic, quoting the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University, Phoenix even has the world’s largest urban heat island magnitudes, resulting in at least 50% of its extreme heat due to the widespread presence of man-made structures that absorb solar energy.
2. Yuma, Arizona
Average summer temperature: 92.8°F / 33.7°C
Average annual temperature: 75.9°F / 24.4°C
Yuma holds the Guinness World Record for the most sunshine, receiving 91% of possible daylight, making it not only the sunniest city in the U.S., but also in the world. Given this, it’s no surprise that Yuma also recorded the longest dry streak, going 215 consecutive days without rain. And its proximity to the Gulf of California, just 90 miles away, brings more humidity than is typical for desert cities, which contributes to more intense heat and higher air temperatures overall.
3. Las Vegas, Nevada
Average summer temperature: 90.8°F / 32.7°C
Average annual temperature: 70.1°F / 21.2°C
Located in the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas is ranked third for the hottest cities in the U.S. Its notable heat retention is particularly evident in the rise of air temperature during the night. Redfin also noted that by 2050, an extra month of days reaching 100°F is projected each year.
4. McAllen, Texas
Average summer temperature: 88.5°F / 31.4°C
Average annual temperature: 77.4°F / 25.2°C
With a subtropical climate, McAllen enjoys year-round high temperatures. June to September are cited as the hottest months, complete with minimal cloud cover, clear skies, the most sunshine, as well as a high humidity. And the climate trend shows no signs of slowing down, even projected to continue in 2025.
5. Laredo, Texas
Average summer temperature: 88.0°F / 31.1°C
Average annual temperature: 74.6°F / 23.7°C
As a warm climate is attached to the whole of Texas, the city of Laredo is no exception to experiencing such a climate. Laredo’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border means it experiences both high heat and limited rainfall. The city is often among the hottest in Texas during the summer months, which is why outdoor workers will start earlier, take more breaks, stay hydrated, and wear revised uniforms, all aimed at coping with the heat.
6. Brownsville, Texas
Average summer temperature: 86.4°F / 30.2°C
Average annual temperature: 76.2°F / 24.5°C
Situated on the Gulf Coast, Brownsville owes much of its tropical climate to its coastal location. With the ocean absorbing 90% of the human-caused emission heat, the Gulf continues to warm and, to a growing extent, Brownsville is ever more vulnerable to prolonged and dangerous heat events.
7. Tucson, Arizona
Average summer temperature: 86.4°F / 30.2°C
Average annual temperature: 69.7°F / 20.9°C
Tucson's dry heat is intense and persistent throughout much of the year, with its 1,500 feet higher in elevation mainly attributed to it. Located in the Sonoran Desert, the city experiences just five degrees cooler than the leading city, Phoenix, and almost four more inches of rain. On top of that, Tucson set a record with 67 nights where temperatures stayed above 75°F, including 21 nights when the low didn’t drop below 80°F.
8. San Antonio, Texas
Average summer temperature: 85.4°F / 29.7°C
Average annual temperature: 71.1°F / 21.7°C
San Antonio swelters due to a combination of factors, including flat terrain that traps heat, moisture-laden air from the Gulf Coast, and waves of hot air from Mexico. During summers particularly, the city is unimaginably getting hotter, having risen by 4°F from 1970 to 2024. This heatwave may pose health threats, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, with the elderly, children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions at the most risk.
9. College Station, Texas
Average summer temperature: 84.5°F / 29.2°C
Average annual temperature: 69.4°F / 20.8°C
The urban heat island effect plays a major role in College Station’s rising temperatures. August remains the city’s hottest month, averaging highs of 95°F and nighttime lows around 75°F. However, the city experienced intense heat in 2024, much like others across Texas, with August heat index levels soaring to 110°F.
10. Dallas, Texas
Average summer temperature: 84.5°F / 29.2°C
Average annual temperature: 68.0°F / 20.0°C
Dallas rounds out the list of the hottest cities in the U.S., with extreme heat driven by southerly winds from Mexico and the Gulf. The city also experiences a pronounced urban heat island effect, where air temperatures can be up to 20°F higher than in greener, more shaded areas. Following the record-setting summer of 2023, studies have been launched to gather a better understanding of this phenomenon and its impacts.
As the planet continues to warm, the heat experienced in these U.S. cities offers a clear, localized glimpse into global climate trends. While many residents and newcomers are drawn to the sunshine, warm winters, and outdoor lifestyle, the rising temperatures pose growing challenges.
For a similar discovery, let’s explore the rainiest countries in the world, where the skies never seem to clear.
REDFIN | HOLIDU | WMO
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